As part of Indigenous Peoples Day (October 12) and Native American Heritage Month (November), Owyhee Combined School welcomed a special guest who brought culture, history, and joyful movement to its youngest learners. Sho-Pai 4th of July Pow-Wow Princess Naryah Stanley visited K–3 classrooms to share stories, traditions, and the significance of Pow-Wow dance in Native American communities.
Naryah began each presentation by introducing herself and acknowledging her family roots—an important reminder of the deep connections between identity, heritage, and community. From there, she guided students through a child-friendly exploration of Native American history, emphasizing both the resilience and the beauty of cultural practices that continue to thrive today.
Students were especially captivated by the different Pow-Wow dance styles and the stories behind them. Naryah displayed several pieces of Pow-Wow regalia, including Jingle Dresses and Grass Dance regalia, explaining how the dances originated and why they remain meaningful. She even helped students make personal connections by sharing how some dresses were once worn by relatives of current OCS students, showing that these traditions are not only historic—they are living and local.
The highlight for many students came when Naryah invited them to participate. With excitement and plenty of little smiles, K–3 learners had the chance to try out simple dance steps before watching Naryah perform her own Jingle style dance. Her presentation brought movement, music, and cultural pride into the classroom in a memorable way.
Later that afternoon, Naryah joined in the school’s social Pow-Wow, continuing the celebration with the wider Owyhee community.
